9 Oct 2009

Cobras strike at Bangalore

10:51 am on 9 October 2009

The Cape Cobras have beaten the Bangalore Royal Challengers by five wickets in the opening match of the Twenty20 Champions League cricket tournament.

But it was closer than it sounds - the victory coming with just two balls remaining at Bangalore.

Black Cap Ross Taylor's unbeaten 53 in Bangalore's total of 180 for four wasn't enough as South African JP Duminy steered the Cobras home with his 99 not out off 52 balls including a six and a four in the final over.

Elsewhere the Delhi Daredevils have something of an injury crisis ahead of their opening game against Victoria - as well as missing New Zealand allrounder Daniel Vettori for the entire tournament after he suffered a hamstring injury in the Champions Trophy final loss to Australia, the side's also without England all-rounder Paul Collingwood, who's been replaced by Aussie bowling legend Glenn McGrath, and South African batsman AB De Villiers.

South African side the Diamond Eagles face New South Wales, also overnight.